Wednesday, September 15, 2010

NaMdakadhara naMdagOpanaMdana - Annammayya keerthan

Annamacharya is said to have composed as many as 32,000 sankeertanas (songs) on Bhagwaan Govinda Venkateswara,of which only about 12,000 are available today. His keertana compositions are based on the Vishishtadwaitaschool of thought. Annamayya was educated in this system of Ramanujaby Sri Satagopa Yateendhra of the Ahobila matam.

Annamacharya considered his compositions as floral offerings to Bhagwaan Govinda. In the poems, he praises Venkateswara, describes his love for him, argues and quarrels with the Lord, confesses the devotee's failures and apprehensions, and surrenders himself to Venkateshwara. His songs are classified into the Adhyaatma (spiritual) and Sringaara (romantic)sankeertanasgenres. His songs in the "Sringaara" genre worship Bhagwaan Venkateswara by describing the romantic adventures of Venkateswara and Alamel Manga, while others describe theBhaktiof his devotees.

In his later keertanas, he espouses subjects such as morality, dharma and righteousness. He was one of the first few who opposed the social stigma towards the untouchable castesin his era, with his sankeertanas explaining that the relationship between God and human is the same irrespective of the latters' color, caste and financial status, in beautiful yet powerful usage of words in his song "Brahmam Okkate Parabrahmam Okkate..."

His choice of words gives a mellifluous tone to his songs, charming the listener. His prodigious literary career earned him a place among the all-time greats of Telugu literature.

According to legend, Annamacharya met Purandara Dasaand both of them composed music and lyrics.They met when Annamacharya had invited Purandara Dasa to join him in singing praise. --- Courtesy WIKI

Sri.Nedhanuri Garu has tuned and sung "NaMdakadhara naMdagOpanaMdana" in the raga Ragesri. I enjoyed his way of rendering and tuning the song. With that guidance, I just tried singing that song.